Global News Podcast – February 13, 2026

Host: Alex Ritson (BBC World Service)
Main Theme: Breaking global news updates, with in-depth coverage of the historic Bangladesh election, US climate policy reversal, and key international developments.

Episode Overview

This episode covers a dramatic political upheaval in Bangladesh, major shifts in US climate policy under President Trump, tensions around US-Iran nuclear negotiations, US intelligence recruitment strategies in China, the crisis in Cuba, UK immigration debates, and a spotlight on Afghan cinema at the Berlin Film Festival.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Bangladesh Election: BNP Poised for a Landslide

[01:04 – 06:08]

• Context: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) appears set for a landslide win following the country’s first election since a mass student uprising ousted long-term leader Sheikh Hasina.
• Election Dynamics: The incumbent Awami League was banned from participating. BNP leader Tariq Rahman, after 17 years in exile, is the expected next Prime Minister.
• International Response: Early congratulations from the US Embassy in Dhaka and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with India’s complex relationship with Bangladeshi politics underlined.
• Voter Sentiment: Many Bangladeshis resent India’s protection of Hasina, who’s sentenced to death in absentia but remains in Indian exile.
• Party Reputation: While the BNP suffered under Hasina’s rule, it also carries its own legacy of alleged corruption and human rights abuses. Rahman has sought to rebrand BNP as a secular, liberal alternative.

“This is a very different morning for [Rahman]. He said he’d been waiting a very long time for this day. ... He’s going to be feeling a lot more confident this morning.”
— Azadeh Mashiri, BBC Correspondent in Dhaka [03:17]

“Most people you speak to want to make sure that the future government keeps India’s influence in check. And that’s a tightrope that Sadiq Rahman will have to walk...”
— Azadeh Mashiri [04:39]

2. US Repeals Landmark Climate Ruling

[06:08 – 10:22]

• Policy Change: President Trump repeals the 2009 “endangerment finding” on greenhouse gas emissions, foundational to US climate regulation.
• White House Framing: Trump’s administration touts this as the “largest act of deregulation in US history,” claiming it will cut regulatory costs and lower consumer prices.
• Critics’ Reaction: Barack Obama, environmental groups, and scientists warn this will endanger public health and the environment.
• Expert Analysis:
  • The “endangerment finding” enabled wide-ranging regulations—its removal has real-world consequences beyond symbolism.
  • Potential legal patchwork as states may challenge nationally relaxed standards; automakers face uncertainty over future market requirements.
  • Trump administration hopes for a Supreme Court decision to cement this rollback and prevent future presidents from reinstating it.

“This decision to just do away with it really takes Orwellian governance to a new height and it invites enormous damage to people and property all around the world.”
— John Kerry, former US Secretary of State [07:32]

“It has real-world implications... It’s not just symbolic.”
— Matt McGrath, BBC Climate Correspondent [08:31]

3. US–Iran Nuclear Negotiations: “Window May Shut Abruptly”

[10:22 – 12:39]

• Diplomatic Tension: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi asserts an Iran nuclear deal is still feasible but time-sensitive.
• Deal Requirements: New assurances are needed to satisfy both US concerns over potential weapons development and Iran’s desire for peaceful nuclear recognition.
• Risks of Failure: Grossi warns of dire consequences if diplomacy fails, referencing Trump’s military threats and the deployment of US forces nearby.

“My sense is that we have a window of opportunity, but windows of opportunity have a tendency to shut quite abruptly, so we need to seize the moment.”
— Rafael Grossi, IAEA chief [12:25]

4. CIA Attempts to Recruit Spies Inside China

[12:39 – 14:52]

• Recruitment Drive: The CIA releases a Chinese-language video appealing to PLA officers, scientists, and professionals disillusioned with China’s leadership.
• Beijing’s Response: The Chinese government has previously decried such efforts as “naked provocation.”
• Context: Follows President Xi’s ongoing purges in the military and continuing US attempts to rebuild its intelligence network after previous setbacks.

“CIA says it hopes the video will strike a chord and encourage actual military personnel and other Chinese citizens to... ‘improve the lives and change their country for the better.’”
— Pete Ross, BBC Reporter [13:39]

5. Crisis in Cuba: Daily Survival Under US Blockade

[15:08 – 18:49]

• Humanitarian Strain: Havana receives rare aid from Mexico amidst severe fuel shortages and a US-imposed virtual oil blockade.
• Living Conditions: Residents face prolonged blackouts (up to 16 hours), food spoilage, and a deteriorating public health situation.
• Outlook: Many see no future unless change comes; tourism and daily life have ground to a halt.

“My day to day life have been reduced as the life of everybody else to the survival between cycles of blackouts... I see no future. The only future is a change.”
— Havana Resident (anonymous) [18:37]

6. UK Immigration Debate: Ratcliffe Remarks Spark Outrage

[18:49 – 21:34]

• Controversy: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologizes for offensive language after saying the UK had been “colonized by immigrants.”
• Political Fallout: PM Keir Starmer calls the remarks “offensive and wrong.” The debate rekindles the national discussion about immigration and cultural change.
• Public Opinion: Surveys highlight widespread anxiety—over 80% of respondents perceive national tension over immigration.

“Polling suggests that this is a massively important issue... 50% of people think UK culture is changing too fast.”
— Rob Watson, BBC Correspondent [20:55]

7. US Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota: Surge Ends After Protests

[21:34 – 23:33]

• Official Withdrawal: The Trump administration announces the end of a major ICE surge in Minnesota after fatal shootings of two US citizens sparked mass protests.
• Federal Stance: Officials claim ongoing crackdown, citing record deportations.
• State Response: Minnesota’s governor condemns tactics as unconstitutional and damaging.

“For those that say we are backing down... you are simply wrong. ...Record number of arrests and deportations under President Trump’s first year and we’ll continue that effort.”
— Tom Homan, US border official [22:55]

8. Berlin Film Festival: Afghan Romantic Comedy Breaks Stereotypes

[23:33 – 27:03]

• Film Debut: No Good Men, a groundbreaking rom-com set in an Afghan newsroom, premieres at the festival.
• Creative Vision: Creator Shah Banu Sadat aims to counter stereotypical war narratives—highlighting humor and normality in Afghan life.
• Production Challenges: Secured funding after six years, filmed outside Afghanistan due to safety concerns.
• Afghan Audiences: Sadat expects the film to reach Afghan viewers quickly via bootlegging, despite the lack of domestic cinemas.

“As an insider, you don’t live a sad life 24/7. There are also a lot of humor and comedy going on in your everyday life. I wanted to capture the real everyday life of an Afghan.”
— Shah Banu Sadat, filmmaker [24:29]

“For some reason... they are like stealing the film and suddenly your film is end up in YouTube or they chop the film and they gonna watch it in TikTok.”
— Shah Banu Sadat [26:45]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bangladesh’s historic vote:
  “People will be waking up here and seeing Cardigan, the leader of the BNP, as the next Prime Minister... It’s a huge reversal in his fortunes.”
  — [Azadeh Mashiri, 02:48]

• On US climate deregulation:
  “We are officially terminating the so-called endangerment finding, a disastrous Obama era policy…”
  — [President Trump (audio clip), 06:34]

• On Cuba’s everyday hardship:
  “You cannot accumulate too much food... because of the lack of refrigeration capacity... food starts to rot, it reduces life to try to obtain the things you need for the day.”
  — [Havana Resident, 16:46]

• On UK immigration debate:
  “This is a massively important issue for, for voters. It's the second most important issue behind the economy.”
  — [Rob Watson, 20:50]

• On Afghan filmmaking:
  “I’m just telling the Afghan version of [patriarchy].”
  — [Shah Banu Sadat, 26:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:04 — Top stories and Bangladesh election setup
• 02:39 — Analysis of BNP’s (likely) victory [Azadeh Mashiri]
• 06:08 — Trump’s climate ruling repeal
• 07:22 — John Kerry reaction [Clip]
• 07:52 — Implications explained [Matt McGrath]
• 10:22 — Iran nuclear deal; IAEA chief interview [Rafael Grossi]
• 12:39 — CIA recruiting Chinese spies [Pete Ross]
• 15:08 — Daily life in Cuba under blockade [Alethea Trujillo]
• 18:49 — Jim Ratcliffe’s immigration comments [Rob Watson]
• 21:34 — ICE withdrawal in Minnesota; mass protests [Neda Torfik]
• 23:33 — Berlin Film Festival: Afghan romantic comedy [Shah Banu Sadat]

For further information or direct contact, reach out to globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk